News

TC Gita expected to affect Fiji from tomorrow

Maggie Boyle

February 11, 2018 8:16 pm

On its current track – TC Gita is expected to pass south of Oni-i-Lau as a Category 4 system tomorrow night.

The National Disaster Management Office has issued a public advisory for communities on the islands of Southern Lau, including Ono-i-Lau, Vatoa, Fulaga, Kabara, Moce, Komo, Namuka-i-Lau, Oneata, Lakemba and other nearby islands to be cyclone prepared at the highest level.

Director Meteorological Services Ravind Kumar spoke to us a few minutes ago on what to expect from TC Gita as she heads our way.

“Severe Cyclone Gita has intensified into a Category 4 system overnight when it was located about 850km East of Ono-i-Lau or 185 km east-south east of Kadavu at 4 this morning. It was moving west at about 19km per hour towards Southern Tonga and will continue moving in this direction towards Fiji in the next 24 – 48 hours. We have already got the Tropical Cýlcone alert which remains in force for Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. It is going to bring strong winds and we will see that the strong winds may increase to damaging gale force winds and possibly to a strong force as it comes closer to the group over the next 24 hours. We will see that Tropical Cylcone Gita is continuously moving towards the group and it may enter inot the Fiji waters tomorrow.”

Meanwhile Divisional Commissioner Eastern Luke Moroivalu has indicated that government officials and representatives are on the ground assisting communities in Southern Lau.

Members of the public are further advised to stay informed through regular news bulletins on the radio and on official social media sites of various authorities.

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